Host Shanelle Dupree makes the case that no one can (or should) do this work alone. Drawing on courtroom moments and frontline advocacy, she surfaces the barriers to connecting well, like not understanding the multiple systems families must navigate and offers practical ways to help parents, youth, staff, and volunteers participate fully. Shanelle also introduces Syncing Child Welfare (SYNC), a 360-degree perspective designed to align partners across the ten connected systems and provide practical tools, questions, and worksheets.

You’ll hear about

Why expecting families to “figure it out alone” is unrealistic and harmful.

How not knowing the other systems (plural) becomes a barrier for helpers and families.

The difference between having answers and knowing who to connect people to.

📌 Get SYNC updates here: https://form.jotform.com/253052608129050

#childwelfare #fostercare #socialwork #traumainformed #familypartnership #systemschange

Episode summary

You’ll hear about

Why “I don’t speak this language” is the hidden barrier in child welfare, even when everyone is in the same room.

Practical ways to translate the system: court-approved glossaries, plain-speech explanations, and who/what/why/by-when summaries.

How understanding increases power, participation, and better questions from families and partners.

Interested in staying updated on the Simplifying Your Navigation and Confusion in Child Welfare program? Click the link HERE.

#ChildWelfare #FosterCare #SocialWork #FamilyFirst #TraumaInformed #PlainLanguage #CommunityEngagement #SystemsChange

Episode 14 Description: Child welfare is often confusing and complicated…so how do we get to connected?

In this episode, Shanelle Dupree names the Three C’s, unpacks a heavy multi-system case, names a issue that can keeps us stuck, and shares a first look at Syncing Child Welfare (SYNC), a new way to simplify systems and connect communities.

🎧 Listen now: From Confusion to Connection: The Three C’s of Child Welfare

🔁 Try it: Start your next staffing by asking, “Which C are we in?”

📌 Get SYNC updates here: https://form.jotform.com/253052608129050

🎙️ “We can’t change outcomes until we change how we think.” -Kenisha Coon

This is one of the gems dropped by our guest, Kenisha Coon.

In this episode of The Skin Deep Podcast, host Shanelle Dupree sits down with Kenisha Coon, a child welfare consultant, equity leader, and soon to be Ph.D., who brings both personal and professional insight to transforming the child welfare system.

Kenisha shares her powerful story of growing up in an abusive household under CPS supervision but never being removed.  This lived experience has shaped her passion for system reform. She reflects on the overlooked stories of children in “failed preservation” situations and how those experiences have fueled her mission to dismantle systemic barriers within child welfare. This episode will ignite reforms you experience and witness within the system as well.

What are the challenges that you see? Fill out the form HERE to share your perspective. Check out Kenisha’s book “And Then She Persisted” HERE. Connect with Kenisha at www.kenishacoon.com for consulting opportunities or on social media on Facebook (Kenisha Coon), LinkedIn (Kenisha Coon), or IG (Kcoon9288)

Episode 12 Description: This week’s episode discusses the power of getting our experiences regarding equity out of head. A tool I am so excited to introduce to the Skin DEEP community is the DEEP Observations Journal. It is a place to write the equity moments you encounter AND ask the next question- now what? Feelings do not equal facts, so it’s important to get “it” out of our head to determine - what do I do with this? Our end goal is emotional intelligence as we navigate equity moments. Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE.  The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going DEEP Together Skin DEEP Workshop HERE.

Episode 11 Description: This week’s episode discusses power within the child welfare system. People within the system have power- but with power needs to come an acknowledgement of the power and the proper use of it. We are discussing case workers, CASA’s, and Foster Parent’s power in the child welfare system. From your perspective, who has the power AND how? How can people in power understand the influence they have so they are hyper aware of this dynamic?

Fill out the form below to share your thoughts on who has power within the child welfare system using the link HERE.

Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE.  The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going DEEP Together Skin DEEP Workshop HERE.

Episode 10 Description: Kinship families or keeping kids is an age old practice for many communities- and it’s making a comeback. This is the thing- it was a way of life for many families when situations didn’t go as planned. Now we recognize the benefits for everyone involved, keeping children with people who know, love, and whom they trust- it truly is a win win situation. However, there needs to be more support for these families, because they are providing an invaluable service. 

Check out the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network resource and tip page on improving support for kinship/grandfamilies: https://www.gksnetwork.org/resources/strategies-for-tanf/?#gf_1

Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE.  The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going DEEP Together Skin DEEP Workshop HERE.

Episode 9: Loving, discovering, and embracing your culture is a beautiful thing. Join us as we wrap u an interview with Autumn a Chinese adoptee and program manger for The Ties Program, where she leads the China heritage journey program.  Check out The Ties Program below.

Website: www.thetiesprogram.com

Facebook: Adoptive Family Travel - The Ties Program

Instagram: @the.ties.program

Registration is now open for Summer 2026 trips to China, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Korea, and Paraguay!

Learn more at www.thetiesprogram.com

Ties Together: Monthly Chats – A welcoming virtual space by The Ties Program created for the adoption community to connect, reflect, and feel supported. Held on the first Tuesday of every month, these free sessions offer two simultaneous gatherings: Connect & Chat for adoptees only and Talk Time for parents/loved ones. Sign up on our website under "Events" for the next one. Because the journey doesn’t end when the trip does and you don’t have to walk it alone.

Community & Connection Trip (Sedona, AZ – March 2026) – A wellness-focused retreat for adoptees and their loved ones, blending rest, reflection, and community in a beautiful setting - https://www.thetiesprogram.com/ties-community-wellness

The Gift of Identity Fund – Provides grants to adoptees to participate in heritage travel trips through The Ties Program, ensuring cost is not a barrier to connection - https://gift-of-identity.org/                                                                         

Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE.  The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going DEEP Together Skin DEEP Workshop HERE.     

Episode 8:

Autumn is honest, reflective, and provides thought provoking dialogue on her journey of returning to her birth country of China as an adoptee. She is now leading the heritage journeys in China and provides a safe space and experience for other families. Join me as we take a journey on cultural discovery.   

Check out The Ties Program

Website: www.thetiesprogram.com

Facebook: Adoptive Family Travel - The Ties Program

Instagram: @the.ties.program

Registration is now open for Summer 2026 trips to China, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Korea, and Paraguay!

Learn more at www.thetiesprogram.com

Ties Together: Monthly Chats – A welcoming virtual space by The Ties Program created for the adoption community to connect, reflect, and feel supported. Held on the first Tuesday of every month, these free sessions offer two simultaneous gatherings: Connect & Chat for adoptees only and Talk Time for parents/loved ones. Sign up on our website under "Events" for the next one. Because the journey doesn’t end when the trip does and you don’t have to walk it alone.

Community & Connection Trip (Sedona, AZ – March 2026) – A wellness-focused retreat for adoptees and their loved ones, blending rest, reflection, and community in a beautiful setting - https://www.thetiesprogram.com/ties-community-wellness

The Gift of Identity Fund – Provides grants to adoptees to participate in heritage travel trips through The Ties Program, ensuring cost is not a barrier to connection - https://gift-of-identity.org/                                         

Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE.  The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going DEEP Together Skin DEEP Workshop HERE.          

Enjoy the conclusion of my interview with Ms. Gwen, a 92 year old resident of Montgall Ave. Community connection can start with a simple hello.  Want to stay connected to Skin DEEP? Step 1: Join our newsletter, HERE. Step 2: Sign up for Going DEEP Coaching with Shanelle Dupree HERE. Step 3: Sign up for the Skin DEEP online course HERE.  The promo code for the Skin DEEP online course is PODCAST. Step 4: Sign your organization up for the Going DEEP Together Skin DEEP Workshop HERE. Check out the book! Kansas City’s Montgall Avenue, by Margie Carr.